You are the surgical house officer and you are managing a 49 year old male who was admitted for an elective left hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer. He has a past medical history of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. He is an ex-smoker of 18 months. Post operatively he suffers from pneumonia which is treated with antibiotics. You are worried about his full blood count and the surgical registrar recommends a haematology referral.

Hb 91g/L

MCV 88fL

WCC 14.2×10*9/L

Neutrophils 12.2×10*9/L

Platelets 657×10*9/L

Questions:

What are your thoughts?

What else would you do?

Further information needed?

If you were the haematology registrar what would you advise?

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